When a loved one passes away, it can be an overwhelming and emotional time for those left behind. One of the many decisions families must make is choosing a funeral home that will help them navigate through the difficult process of saying goodbye. For many families, Altmeyer Funeral Home has been a trusted partner during these challenging moments. With a commitment to compassionate service and a reputation for excellence, Altmeyer Funeral Home offers a wide range of funeral services tailored to meet the unique needs of each family.
In this article, we’ll explore the history and services of Altmeyer Funeral Home, the importance of selecting the right funeral home, and provide answers to frequently asked questions to help guide families through this process.
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About Altmeyer Funeral Home
Founded in 1880 by George Altmeyer, Altmeyer Funeral Home has built a legacy of compassionate care for the families of the Hampton Roads area, with locations in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Newport News. Over the years, the funeral home has maintained a deep-rooted commitment to providing personalized services that cater to the diverse needs of the community.
Altmeyer Funeral Home is known for its professional, yet personal approach to funeral care. The funeral home is family-owned and operated, which means that each family receives attention and care that goes beyond the basics. The team at Altmeyer Funeral Home understands that no two lives are the same, and they go out of their way to ensure that each service is tailored to honor the uniqueness of the deceased.
Services Provided by Altmeyer Funeral Home
Altmeyer Funeral Home offers a broad range of services to help families commemorate the life of their loved ones. From traditional funeral services to cremation, memorials, and preplanning, Altmeyer ensures that families have the support and resources they need.
1. Traditional Funeral Services
A traditional funeral service typically includes a viewing, a formal service, and a burial or entombment. Altmeyer Funeral Home can help guide families through this process, ensuring that every detail is taken care of, including:
- Arranging the Viewing or Wake: A visitation or viewing is often held before the funeral service, allowing family members and friends to gather, offer condolences, and pay their respects. Altmeyer offers comfortable spaces for these gatherings, and their staff is available to coordinate every detail.
- Funeral Service Planning: Whether the service is religious or secular, Altmeyer Funeral Home assists with planning and coordinating the ceremony. This includes arranging for clergy or celebrants, selecting music, and providing any special requests that the family may have.
- Burial or Entombment: Altmeyer can assist with burial arrangements, including cemetery selection, casket options, and transportation of the deceased to the final resting place.
2. Cremation Services
Cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice for families, and Altmeyer Funeral Home provides a range of cremation services that allow families to honor their loved one’s wishes. Services include:
- Direct Cremation: This is the simplest form of cremation, with no viewing or formal service beforehand. Families can later hold a memorial service if they choose.
- Cremation with Service: This option allows families to have a formal service, followed by cremation, allowing for personalization in terms of location, speakers, and music.
- Cremation Urns and Keepsakes: Altmeyer offers a wide variety of urns and keepsake options to hold the cremated remains, giving families a way to memorialize their loved one in a meaningful way.
3. Pre-Planning Services
One of the most thoughtful gifts you can give to your family is the ability to plan your own funeral in advance. Altmeyer Funeral Home offers pre-planning services that allow individuals to make their funeral arrangements ahead of time, sparing their loved ones the emotional and financial burden of making decisions during a time of grief. Preplanning services include:
- Personalized Funeral Plans: Families can work with Altmeyer’s funeral directors to create a detailed plan that reflects their wishes, including preferences for music, readings, and memorial services.
- Financial Planning: Altmeyer Funeral Home also helps individuals plan financially for their future funeral expenses. Prepaying for funeral services can help lock in current prices and alleviate any financial strain on surviving family members.
4. Memorial Services and Celebration of Life
Altmeyer Funeral Home recognizes that some families may prefer a more personalized or non-traditional way of remembering their loved one. For those seeking a unique, customized service, Altmeyer offers celebration of life services that celebrate the individual’s life, passions, and legacy. These services might include:
- Customized Memorial Services: With flexible spaces, families can plan a memorial service that speaks to their loved one’s personality, whether that means hosting a gathering with a favorite theme, music, or presentation.
- Personalized Tributes: Altmeyer’s staff can assist families in crafting tributes that reflect their loved one’s legacy, such as video montages, personalized keepsakes, and special readings.
5. Grief Support
The team at Altmeyer Funeral Home understands that the grieving process doesn’t end with the funeral. They offer grief support programs to assist individuals and families in coping with their loss, including:
- Grief Counseling: Altmeyer provides access to grief counselors and support groups to help individuals process their grief in a supportive environment.
- Resource Materials: Families receive grief support materials, such as books and articles, to assist in understanding the emotional stages of grief and how to heal.
Why Choose Altmeyer Funeral Home?
Choosing a funeral home is a personal decision, and there are many factors to consider. Here are some reasons why families choose Altmeyer Funeral Home time and again:
- Experienced and Compassionate Staff: Altmeyer’s team of funeral directors and staff are experienced professionals who understand the emotional challenges of planning a funeral. They are trained to listen to families, provide guidance, and ensure that all aspects of the funeral are handled with care.
- Personalized Service: No two people are the same, and Altmeyer Funeral Home ensures that each service is tailored to the unique needs and wishes of the deceased and their family. Whether it’s a traditional service or a celebration of life, Altmeyer will help bring the family’s vision to life.
- Comprehensive Services: Altmeyer Funeral Home offers everything from traditional funerals to cremation services, pre-planning options, and grief support. This means that families can access all the services they need in one place.
- Transparent Pricing: Altmeyer believes in providing families with clear and transparent pricing so that they know exactly what to expect financially. Their staff will work with families to create a funeral plan that fits within their budget.
- A Rich Legacy: With over 140 years of experience in funeral services, Altmeyer Funeral Home has built a strong legacy of trust and compassion in the Hampton Roads community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I pre-plan my funeral with Altmeyer Funeral Home?
Yes, Altmeyer Funeral Home offers pre-planning services that allow individuals to make their funeral arrangements ahead of time. You can plan every detail of your service and even prepay for it.
Q2: Does Altmeyer Funeral Home offer cremation services?
Yes, Altmeyer provides a range of cremation services, including direct cremation, cremation with service, and customized cremation memorial services.
Q3: How do I write an obituary for a loved one?
Altmeyer Funeral Home offers guidance in writing obituaries, helping families include important details such as the deceased’s biography, funeral service arrangements, and any special requests like charitable donations.
Q4: What types of memorial services does Altmeyer offer?
Altmeyer offers a variety of memorial services, including traditional funerals, celebrations of life, and customized tributes tailored to reflect the deceased’s personality and legacy.
Q5: Are grief support services available?
Yes, Altmeyer Funeral Home provides grief support services, including access to counselors, support groups, and helpful grief resources.
Q6: Can I have a personalized memorial at Altmeyer Funeral Home?
Yes, Altmeyer offers personalized memorial services, including video tributes, custom music selections, and themed events that reflect the life and interests of the deceased.
Q7: Is Altmeyer Funeral Home available for emergency services?
Yes, Altmeyer Funeral Home provides 24/7 emergency funeral services, ensuring that families can receive assistance at any time of day or night.
Conclusion
Altmeyer Funeral Home has been a cornerstone of compassionate funeral care in the Hampton Roads area for over 140 years. Whether you are planning a traditional funeral, a cremation, or a personalized memorial service, Altmeyer Funeral Home is committed to supporting you through every step of the process. Their experienced staff, comprehensive services, and commitment to honoring the individual are just a few reasons why families trust them to care for their loved ones during one of the most difficult times of their lives.
